Holy Water (1999)
by Demeter Fragrance Library

I really wanted to like this one. I love the concept, have been in many churches and appreciate the ambiance. Sadly, for me there is little to enjoy here. On me, this is a vague and wispy scent, having little substance and some rather odd notes. It starts with one of the worst, piercing rubbing-alcohol notes I’ve experienced. When this abates, I get various similar and indeterminate notes suggestive of rubber, old erasers, old sneakers left in a locker, sweaty backs on a varnished pew, and old metal keys in a church cupboard. All of these float on a thin, watery base. Not a religious experience, in my books.

21st September, 2009.

For a Demeter, this fragrance is mind blowing. It is so well done: It is complex; it is balanced; it has excellent movements; and there is an absolutely great implementation of the whole concept of church. At first I was a bit disappointed because I was expecting it to smell like dusty, stale water, which is the smell I associate with holy water. But apparently the “holy water” meant by this fragrance is simply a synecdoche – a part of something that represents the whole something. Holy Water stands for the total environment of the Catholic Church. There’s the water, the pews, the incense, the candles, the flowers – all there as a rich part of the ambiance of the some small church. And it’s done so well! And it lasts a bit longer than the other Demeters. Two or three thumbs up!

12nd November, 2008.

If you are looking for a good incense, just go to CDG and pay the pretty penny. However, Holy Water is not too bad and the price is good. The longevity is very short, on me it was about a half an hour.

9th November, 2007.